| |
| PROJECT:
Fused Installation |
| LOCATION: Gallery 1, RIBA Headquarters, London |
| COMMISSIONED:
Royal Institute of British Architects |
| COLLABORATION:
with Martin Richman Artist |
| COMPLETION:
1997 |
|
|
|
Three
hundred polycarbonate garden cloches, each containing an ultra violet
light, were laid on a field of phosphorescent Daz on the floor. It was
possible to walk around the edge, on the marble surround. During the
day the piece was muted, registering the passage of sunlight around
the room. At night a great violet glow built up, illuminating the whole
building and the street outside. Two large mirrored reflectors mounted
on the ceiling meant that the floor of the gallery became obliquely
visible to pedestrians as they walked past below. The source of the
blue glow became manifest as an image ghosted onto the ceiling.
The work is intended as an equivocal response to the ponderous solemnity
and the closed, casket like, quality of the RIBA building. The interplay
of natural and artificial light develops an open relationship between
the interior and the street. The piece was at its best at dusk as the
dimming light of day came into balance with the eerie artificial light
brimming up within the cloches. It was a sensual transformation of the
room. It was important that no indication should be given as to how
the space might be interpreted or occupied. The perfume of detergent
filled the building for weeks. |
|
